Jazz Drumming

Making Music

A melodic drummer

For me, making music is fundamentally about building connections: connections between rhythm and melody, with my fellow musicians, and with audiences. The Washington City Paper called me an "unsung dynamo" who "builds arrangements, accompaniments, and solos with the structure and phrasing that we usually associate with melody". As a recent graduate from the University of Maryland with a masters in jazz performance, I perform regularly with the area's preeminent musicians at the top venues for jazz including the Kennedy Center, Bohemian Caverns, and Strathmore.

Recent Recordings

Kurtis Adams, "Collage"

"Saxophonist Kurtis Adams could scarcely have chosen a more apt title for this release, an eclectic-minded assemblage drawn from a wide variety of musical genres, including classical.

All told, Collage is an interestingly disparate assortment that well rewards listening and is highly recommended."

DC Jazz Composers collective

"Last year, a close-knit group of three jazz musicians with a passion for writing original music came togetherin an official capacity. They formed the D.C. Jazz Composers Collectve, a nonprofit organization designed to promote new and original music as well educate aspiring composers and the jazz-listening public. Bassist Kevin Pace, pianist Gene D'Andrea, and saxophonist Bobby Muncy are all accomplished, imaginative, and eclectic composers (primarily in the postbop vein), but also sensitive musicians with experience, chemistry, and sympathetic ears for each other's work—which can be heard on their recently completed, self-titled CD featuring two compositions by each member of the collective and strong support from their favorite drummer, melodist Andrew Hare (whose blog is a fascinating look at the jazz drummer's art)."